The zigzag bush grows quite slowly and is also easy to cut. It is therefore very suitable for breeding as a bonsai. What you need to consider when caring for a zigzag bush as a bonsai.
How do I care for a zigzag bush as a bonsai?
A zigzag bush bonsai is characterized by slow growth and good pruning tolerance. Care includes occasional trimming, careful watering, regular fertilizing outside of flowering season, and annual repotting and root trimming for young plants.
Slow growth and good pruning tolerance
Zigzag bushes are characterized by their slow growth. In addition, the shrub tolerates cutting very well, so it can easily be kept as a bonsai.
- Zigzag bush grows slowly
- easy to cut
- easy care
- can be cut at any time
- Wiring is possible
- must be wintered frost-free
Bringing a zigzag bush into a bonsai shape
The zigzag bush naturally has an interesting growth habit as the shoots grow in zigzags. It can be shaped into all upright, bushy shapes. The cascade shape is also possible.
You don't have to cut the bush regularly. If shoots have become too long and are disrupting the shape, you can always use pruning shears. If you want to grow a cascade shape, you can easily wire the zigzag bush.
How to care for zigzag bushes as a bonsai
It is important that you only fertilize the zigzag bush until it blooms and again after the blooming period. If it is fertilized during this time, it will drop its flowers. Fertilization will also be stopped from autumn. Fertilization is carried out at fortnightly intervals with a special bonsai fertilizer (€4.00 on Amazon).
Water zigzag shrubs with caution. Waterlogging causes the roots to rot. If it gets too wet, the shrub will also drop its leaves. Watering is always carried out only when the surface of the substrate has dried. You should always pour out excess water immediately.
Initially repot annually and prune roots
Young zigzag bushes that you want to cultivate as bonsai should be repotted annually for the first few years. Prune the roots to limit growth even further.
The zigzag bush looks very pretty in a plant bowl. The bonsai likes to spend the summer outdoors on the terrace or balcony.
Since zigzag bushes are not hardy, you have to overwinter them frost-free in winter.
Tip
The zigzag bush blooms from April to June. The flowers are yellow and grow from the base of the leaves. The red fruits of the zigzag bush are also very decorative, but must not be eaten.